Everything about Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, eh?

The Nature of Things, CBC – “Smarty Plants”
Plants: nice, pretty to look at. But they donâ€™t DO anything, do they? They just kind ofâ€¦.sit there, right? Wrong! Exploding the myth of a passive plant world, SMARTY PLANTS, a new one-hour TV documentary premiering Thursday, March 22 at 8 pm (8:30 NT) on CBC Television The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, uncovers the real â€œsecret worldâ€ of plants, revealing a fantastic and dynamic landscape pulsing with sex, movement, communication, and social interaction. This is a world where plants talk, forage, wage war and nurture their kin; a world where plants behave a lot like…us!

Doc Zone, CBC – “Scandal: Inside the Murdoch Empire”
DOC ZONE examines the scandal that has rocked the empire of media baron Rupert Murdoch.

Battle Castle, History Television – “Malbork Castle”
Stretched along the bank of the River Nogat in modern-day Poland, Malbork Castle was built by an elite group of knights during the Baltic Crusades. Its distinct brick architecture, soaring walls, and deadly battlements were built to intimidate the local population. In 1410, a pagan-turned-king marches on the castle, determined to put an end to the Teutonic Orderâ€™s reign.

Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more

March 21, 2012 Cameron

Possible sea change for Saskatchewan television?

SCN’s prospective new owner, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., wants to spend less money on programming, at least according to CBC News Saskatchewan. Rogers wants to put 23 per cent of revenue generated by SCN towards independent films, rather than commit to fixed dollar requirements, as SCN is in “financial stress.”

In a related story, the 2012-13 Saskatchewan provincial budget announces the immediate termination of the Film Employment Tax Credit for film and television productions. Productions already registered by SaskFilm prior to April 1, 2012 will continue to be eligible for the credit, but new productions are ineligible.

The elimination of Saskatchewan’s FETC, according to the budget documents, is tied to a supposedly-heavier future reliance on subsidization. This is coupled with a decline in industry activity, and the fact that the FETC has required a public investment of over $100 million, since its 1998 introduction.

The FETC, an income tax credit equal to forty-five per cent of eligible labour costs, will be fully phased out in 2014. The FETC’s termination is supposed to save up to $3 million by the end of 2012, and $8 million annually.

Statement by the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association. They’re not fond of the FETC’s termination.

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more →

Dragons' Den, Dramas and Comedies, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, Republic of Doyle

New tonight: Titanic, King, Dragons’ Den, Republic of Doyle, Our Lady

March 21, 2012 Diane Wild

Titanic, Global – Part 1 of 4
Titanic is the extraordinary re-telling of the doomed voyage that cleverly weaves action, mystery and romantic plots featuring fictional and historical characters from different classes, cultures and religions. Each episode follows one set of characters from the beginning of the voyage to its tragic end. Written by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), starring Linus Roache (Law & Order), Geraldine Somerville (The Harry Potter films), Canadians Noah Reid (Score: The Hockey Musical), Linda Kash (Cinderella Man) and David Eisner (Flashpoint).

King, Showcase – “Charlene Francis”
Detective Sergeant Pete Rivers (Jess’ ex-husband) is on the verge of wrapping up a major investigation into drug dealing and gun smuggling when heÃs carjacked – losing not just his vehicle but also his police issue laptop. The computer contains sensitive intelligence, including the real identity of an Undercover Officer who has managed to infiltrate the ruthless drug dealerÃs crew. King’s assignment? Find the laptop before it falls into the wrong hands, make sure the illegal guns never end up on the streets, and figure out whether her ex-husband’s character flaws (the same ones that ended their marriage) have put the project – and the Undercover Officer – in danger.

Dragons’ Den, CBC
The Dragons find out what’s smart in branded phone casings; a water dispenser soaks up some offers; and a home improvement invention impresses. Plus a hangover cure gets a shot at a deal.

Republic of Doyle, CBC – “Live Wire”
When Des’s dad is kidnapped after being released from jail, the Doyles must band together and save Jody Redmond before it’s too late; Mal is distracted when he gets bad news about his old partner; Kathleen angers Tinny when she chooses an issue from the past over a case from the present.

Our Lady, VisionTV
Our Lady is a one hour documentary that chronicles the life and significance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her apparitions and appearances on earth. Since 1981, Mary has been appearing in one of the most visited religious sites on the planet: Medjugorje, Bosnia. The film follows a pilgrimage led by New Brunswick native Marie Desjardins as she and a dozen others journey to Medjugorje for the 30th anniversary of these spiritual events. Our Lady is created, written, and directed by Michael MacDonald and produced by Edward Peill of Halifax-based Tell Tale Productions Inc.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Canada’s Most Versatile Person?

March 20, 2012 Diane Wild

By Jenna Adams

On Sunday, 656 000 Canadians tuned in to CBC to watch a 2-hour special designed to unveil Canada’s Smartest Person. Hosted by comedian and Mr. D star Gerry Dee, it focused on the theory of multiple intelligences pioneered by Dr. Howard Gardner, a psychologist and professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard University.

The show used 10 challenges to explore six areas of intelligence: logical, linguistic, musical, visual, physical and interpersonal. Audiences could download an app to play along and see how they stacked up against some of Canada’s biggest brains.

I interviewed three of the competitors about their experiences, including the importance of Gloria Gaynor and beer pong.

Continue reading Canada’s Most Versatile Person? →

Dramas and Comedies, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, This Hour Has 22 Minutes

New tonight: 22 Minutes, Rick Mercer Report, Just For Laughs, Saw Dogs

March 20, 2012 Diane Wild

22 Minutes, CBC
A beloved Canadian TV star (of the 4-legged variety) comes out of retirement for a new hospital drama, plus a preview of the latest CBC movie spinoff to come out of a short commentary segment during Hockey Night in Canada. We take a look at the terrifying consequences of the robocalls scandal, and question whether Air Canada workers have the right to strike.

Rick Mercer Report, CBC
In tonight’s all-new show Rick is in Victoria training with Canada’s Olympic swimming team as they prepare for the London Summer Olympics and medalist Ryan Cochrane gives him some special tips. He also turns up at the Purina National Dog Show in Mississauga, ON and vies for ‘Best in Show’ with a giant English mastiff.

Just For Laughs, CBC – “The Decline of the American Empire”
What is the American Empire and is it falling? Why watch boring men in suits debate this on CNN? Itâ€™s time to dive head first into The Decline of the American Empire, hosted by the one and only John Oliver. The British comic you love from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart hosts a smart, opinionated and equally funny political special featuring wildly popular comedians Colin Quinn, WTF podcast host Marc Maron, and Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).

Saw Dogs, OLN – “Action Hero”
A top movie stuntwoman asks the carvers to create a sculpture commemorating her mentor, a celebrated stuntman who was famous for his work in westerns. Guest carver Jeff Samudosky takes the reins on the project, which features a western scene in three-dimensional relief on a massive redwood slab.